ViaSurprise
Overview
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Distance 14 km
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Duration 4 h
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Ascent 580 m
Intro
Shortly after setting out, the first highlights appear in the shape of Arlesheim Cathedral and the Ermitage, the most significant English-style landscape park in Switzerland. The trail continues to Seewen through the unrivalled landscape of the Gampen Plateau and its tower vantage point.
Description
Dornach is located at the gates of Basel in the Birs Valley, but it is part of the Canton Solothurn. What a way to start this first stage. It has barely begun and here you are looking at the cathedral of Arlesheim. The Roman Catholic church is the landmark of the village and a prominent work of Baroque architecture and interior design. The Arlesheim cathedral was built in 1680/81 and is one of the first major Early Baroque church buildings in Switzerland. A few minutes later you pass Ermitage Arlesheim, the largest landscaped English gardens in Switzerland. A visit is well worth it. Otherwise you will miss the beautiful gardens and the lakes, as they are hidden by the leaves on the trees.
Via a wide forest road the trail leads further uphill to Schönmatt and to the hamlet of Stollenhäuser before it returns to the forest. After passing Munimatt you will soon get to the Gempenturm observation tower and Schartenflue Mountain. These form the distinctive edge of the Gempen plateau in the west. In good weather, the observation tower offers a fantastic panorama of the Vosges Mountains, in the direction of the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps. A restaurant is available immediately next to the tower.
Another path takes you to Gempen from here. Once past the small village you reach the Gempen plateau. This Table Jura plateau is located at an altitude between 600 and 700 m and belongs to the Canton Solothurn. It takes almost an hour to cross it, past meadows and through lovely forest sections, leaving the last buildings of Hochwald village behind. About a half hour later, after more meadows and pastures, the walk ends in Seewen. The town is located in the area where the High Chain Jura changes to the Table Jura and it is known for the Museum of Music Automatons. The church, situated on a promontory above the village, is visible from far away.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Dornach
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Seewen
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
600 m
|
| Ascent |
580 m
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| Descent |
320 m
|
| Distance |
14 km
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| Duration |
4 h
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| Duration back |
3 h 35 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Season |
All year
|
| Theme |
With panoramic view
|
Quick Facts
Route number
